URBANA, Ill. — Illinois softball (8-21, 0-4 B1G) fell to Northwestern in the sides' series opener on Friday evening, 6-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Karley Yergler got the nod in the circle, throwing two scoreless frames to begin the game.
Northwestern was on the board in the third inning, as Kaylie Avvisato was walked, and Kansas Robinson brought her around with an RBI single. An RBI double from Bridget Donahey scored Robinson and concluded the scoring.
In the fifth, a two-RBI home run from Emma Raye after an Avvisato double increased the Wildcats' lead to four runs, and they added a sixth run in the seventh inning after an Illinois error.
Eileen Donahue notched the first hit for Illinois in the final frame, and Jackie Yeager brought her home to score with an RBI double. Despite the pair of hits, the Fighting Illini could not continue the comeback, falling to Northwestern, 6-1, in game one of the series.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Karley Yergler earned the start in the circle, hurling four innings and conceding four runs.
- Yergler falls to 2-8 on the year.
- In relief, Christina Crawford threw a pair of innings, adding a pair of strikeouts while conceding one run.
- Eileen Donahue notched a base hit, her third consecutive game with at least one hit
- Jackie Yeager logged her first career double to score Donahue in the seventh inning, her seventh hit and sixth RBI of the season
UP NEXT
Illinois returns for game two of the Big Ten series against Northwestern on Saturday, March 21. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. CT from Eichelberger Field, and the game can be streamed on B1G+.
